Chandpur culvert collapses within 11 days of construction

A newly-built culvert in Chandpur district suddenly collapsed within 11 days of its construction.

Locals said, ''In the afternoon on May 23, the culvert suddenly collapsed making a big sound.''

The culvert is located near Munshibari on Nandikhola-Bokchar Road in Matlab Dakhshin Upazila's Nayergaon Uttar union.

Hundreds of people of Nandikhola, Bokchar, Pitambordi, Kachhiara and Nayergaon villages use this road every day. Due to the sudden collapse of the culvert, movement of people and vehicles has been stopped. So, serious resentment among the people has been observed as they are facing much inconveniences.

Abdur Razzak, Abdul Malek, Masud, Marzana Aktar, Mosharaf Hossain and others of Nandikhola village alleged that to get maximum profit, local UP Chairman Kamruzzaman Molla himself constructed the culvert with substandard materials for which it collapsed in 11 days of its construction. They also alleged that no engineer was seen to look after the construction work of the culvert.

Contacted, the UP chairman has denied the allegation adding that the main mason Borhanuddin has done the work and he is to blame. He, however, said, ''The culvert will be built again.''

Upazila Engineer Jakir Hossain Majumder said, ''We are yet to give work order of the culvert. If anybody constructs it before getting work order the government is not liable. The contractor himself must be held responsible for this fault.''

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